Photo by Garret Bottorff/7wondersstudios: Deegan Hepp, a Fort Dodge Senior High student, competes at the Hoosier Arenacross Nationals. recently.

Deegan Hepp has been riding his motorcycle since he was little.

All of the hard work is starting to pay off.

Hepp, along with a large group of other Fort Dodge and area riders, has been competing at the Hoosier Arenacross Nationals.

The Fort Dodge Senior High senior and Fort Dodge’s Zaine Randall are currently second in the point standings for their respective age groups.

“I have had an awesome time racing Hoosier Arenacross,” Hepp said. “Coming in six rounds late and still being in second in points feels really good.

“I can’t wait to bump up to the A class for next year.”

Hepp, who has been training with Fort Dodge graduate Izaih Clark and Fort Dodge native Tayler Grall in Oklahoma, has had a perfect run in the College Boys (age 15-24) division.

“We (Clark, Grall and Hepp) have been training a lot together,” Hepp said. “We will be heading home this weekend.”

Hepp has won 16 motos and eight of the races he has competed in, collecting 250 total points. Brennan Wages of Colona, Ill. is sitting in first place with 361 points.

The 18-year-old also competes in the 250 B and 450 B classes. He is currently fifth with seven podiums (top three) and two wins in 250 B. He also has one win in 450 B.

“Racing Arenacross takes patience. You can’t make any dumb moves,” Hepp said. “Good starts are always key to getting wins.”

Randall is currently second in the points in the School Boy 12-16 division. He has had four podiums and two victories, with 207 total points.

Jalen McManis of Topeka, Kan. is the leader with 302 points.

Randall is also fourth in 125 All-Stars and fifth in 250 C. He has four podiums combined and one win in the two classes.

Otho resident Kurtis Bickford has two victories on the season. Bickford, who is seventh in 450 C, has three podiums and one victory. He also has a victory in 250 C class.

Fort Dodge’s Taj Lowrey has two podiums in the 250 C, and also competes in 450 C.

Otho native Devin Sullivan is seventh in College Boy (15-24). Sullivan, who also races in 450 B, has one podium. He also competes in Open Outlaw (non-pro) with a podium.

Tyson Clayton (50CC 7-9 SR and 50 CC Open) has a victory in the 7-9 SR division.

Fort Dodge’s Cody Rodenborn is 13th in the 30 Amateur point standings with one victory.

Also competing from the area is Charles Gailey (250 B, College Boys 15-24), Owen Hepp (250 C, 450 C), Grant Liska (250 C, 450 C), Caleb Booge (250 C), Mario Azuna (450 beginner), Wesley Rodenbron (50CC Open), Stylz Grall (65CC 10-11 and 65CC, 85CC 7-11), Teegan Rees (65CC 7-9, 65CC Open), Grant Hepp (85CC 12-15).

Michael White of Gowrie has raced in Vet 25 Amateur.

Hoosier Arenacross Nationals will wrap up this season in Tunica, Miss. for the World Championships this weekend. The races will be worth double points.